Ovarian cysts

[Sophie10]

I took beautiful Serendipity to the vets today. She was out of sorts and although it could have been the heat, I just wanted her checked over.....
Vet discovered 2 ovarian cysts.... one is very big. She explained that due to its size, surgery would be a better option than hormone dose and aspiration.
Serendipity is 5. I am worried re anaesthetic and recovery.
Any advice/ experiences would be welcome.
Thank you

 

[Ominester]

Hi! I am a vet tech I do have knowledge of anesthesia in general. Her going back under anesthesia should not at all be a problem. An animal's risk does not increase the more times they go under nor does it make a surgical procedure more dangerous. Ask your vet what method they would use for an ovariectomy, it can either be an abdominal incision or a flank/side incision (this one is preferred and has the best recovery). Like the vets I work for say, " Age is NOT a disease" and an animal's age should not affect anesthesia. Underlying health issues are more likely to impact their ability to handle surgery. As long as her bloodwork looks good, (ask if your vet can do presurgical bloodwork) then I say go for it. The procedure should be no more than 20 - 30 minutes, and your piggy would hopefully get 2 - 3 years of comfort.

I wish you the best of luck!

 

[Sophie10]

Hi! I am a vet tech I do have knowledge of anesthesia in general. Her going back under anesthesia should not at all be a problem. An animal's risk does not increase the more times they go under nor does it make a surgical procedure more dangerous. Ask your vet what method they would use for an ovariectomy, it can either be an abdominal incision or a flank/side incision (this one is preferred and has the best recovery). Like the vets I work for say, " Age is NOT a disease" and an animal's age should not affect anesthesia. Underlying health issues are more likely to impact their ability to handle surgery. As long as her bloodwork looks good, (ask if your vet can do presurgical bloodwork) then I say go for it. The procedure should be no more than 20 - 30 minutes, and your piggy would hopefully get 2 - 3 years of comfort.

I wish you the best of luck!

Thank you.... this is so helpful and I can take her along with some important questions to ask.
I really appreciate you taking the time answer me.
Thank you

 

[Piggy foster mum]

I took beautiful Serendipity to the vets today. She was out of sorts and although it could have been the heat, I just wanted her checked over.....
Vet discovered 2 ovarian cysts.... one is very big. She explained that due to its size, surgery would be a better option than hormone dose and aspiration.
Serendipity is 5. I am worried re anaesthetic and recovery.
Any advice/ experiences would be welcome.
Thank you

Can I ask what behaviour changes you noticed as my girl has been really vocal recently, chasing her buddy who often looks scared and is wondering what is going on. She doesn’t seem in pain but is constantly wheeking but in her usual chatty way, lots of humping her buddy and just not herself. Some fur loss on top when I brushed her but nothing major and no changes underneath on her belly. It’s only been a few days so I did think she was in heat but honestly don’t know.

 

[Ominester]

Can I ask what behaviour changes you noticed as my girl has been really vocal recently, chasing her buddy who often looks scared and is wondering what is going on. She doesn’t seem in pain but is constantly wheeking but in her usual chatty way, lots of humping her buddy and just not herself. Some fur loss on top when I brushed her but nothing major and no changes underneath on her belly. It’s only been a few days so I did think she was in heat but honestly don’t know.

My girl typically acts like that when she goes into heat. She can get pretty mean to her friend. I decided to get her spayed anyway, as all female Guinea pigs have an 80% chance of getting ovarian cyst by the time they reach 5 years of age. It’s incredibly common. My girl is three days post op, and other than some soft stool, she’s doing amazing.